Page 102 of Discovered Magic
“This is incredible,” Abbie said, her voice hushed, goose bumps rising on her arms. “How do they go unnoticed with all the heightened environmental activity?”
“Mortals reject what they don’t understand, love,” Ronan replied. “Yeah, and if anyone were to witness the electrical storm, they’d dismiss it as an unnatural phenomenon.”
Royal sat up, having been reanimated. Although his color was restored, he appeared shaky.
“You’ll require a few minutes to get up to speed, Mr. Hastings,” Damian told him. With a glance at Isis, he nodded, then said, “We’d like to gift magic unto you, should you wish it.”
“I don’t understand?”
With a smile able to charm woodland creatures into the open, Isis held out a hand, offering to help him stand.
“You showed true bravery at every turn, Royal Hastings,” Isis said. “It didn’t go unnoticed how you tried to protect others from your gang’s worst instincts.”
“Or how you patched up the wounded yourself,” Damian added.
“Many times, you thwarted the Arcane Devourer from his goal to steal the life force of others. The subtlety you applied was noted by him, and it created a target on your back.” Isis cupped his jaw. “Despite knowing the powers he held, you showed courage.”
“And here I believed myself to be a worthless ass for not stopping it,” he replied dryly.
Across the short distance, Abbie’s gaze locked with his, and she smiled. “You were a fierce protector, Royal.”
“Precisely,” Isis agreed. “You shall be known as The Protector from this moment forward. Should Damian be willing, you will join his circle.”
“I already have a job…” Royal frowned. “Or, I did. I don’t suppose anyone kept my position open, huh?”
“Mine either,” Abbie said, realizing for the first time how much would’ve changed in the time since she’d transported them. What must her mother be going through, losing her only child?
“We need to hurry,” Isis said with a ringing clap. “Time no longer runs parallel between the past and present. Too many are not where they should be, and the balance is off.”
Abbie’s heart beat a hard tattoo. “What do you mean? How is it different?”
“It has sped up here. Three earthly weeks for every day, since the Traveler’s grandchild opened the portal. The power of the Three was too great, and misaligned everything.”
“The Three? Who?—”
Damian cut in to say, “Castor and your other family created a time divergence by using the Heart of Artemus together.”
“If it isn’t rectified before the third moon cycle begins, the entire population will be in peril,” Isis explained. “Each day is faster than the one before.”
All for her. Abbie shook her head, certain none of them got the memo that they could set the entire world on its ear. “Okay, so when is the next moon cycle?”
“Tonight.”
“Of course it is.” She met Damian’s concerned gaze. “Okay. Let’s get Morcunt back to the past so Quentin can get Wilder and Castor here before moonrise.” Glancing around, she searched for anyone with a watch. “How long do we have?”
“Four hours to complete your mission. Although at this speed, that is barely fifty mortal minutes.” Isis replied. Her shrug was casual, as if she hadn’t just dropped a huge-fucking-problem grenade at their feet.
“That’s zero time for planning or contingencies!” Abbie cried. “Like what if that dickweed escapes?”
“He won’t,” Royal said grimly. “He won’t see me coming, Fire Cat.”
“No, he won’t,” Damian agreed. “Stand still, Mr. Hastings. I’m about to create a protective shield over you.”
“What about me?” Abbie asked, her voice embarrassingly squeaky. “Don’t I get a protective shield?”
The Aether’s amused grin was a thing of beauty.
She blinked, forgetting what she’d been on about.
